The Children’s Health Initiative – Healthy Kids Solano

Healthy Kids Solano, also known as the Children’s Health Initiative – Healthy Kids Solano, is a locally developed health insurance program created to provide coverage to children who do not qualify for the state sponsored programs, such as free cost Medi-Cal and Healthy Families Program. Healthy Kids provides comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and behavioral services, administered by the Partnership Health Plan of California (PHC). This is consistent with the Coalition’s goal that all kids have health care coverage.

The California Children’s Health Initiative (CCHI) is a collaboration of local Children’s Health Initiatives (CHI) in 28 counties across California. Solano County is a part of this collaboration and has contributed to the successful state-wide enrollment of more than 150,000 previously uninsured children into the locally funded Healthy Kids program.

History

In December 2005, with the support of the Solano County Board of Supervisors and Solano County community, the Coalition launched the Healthy Kids Solano program to ensure that 100% of all children in Solano County are covered by health insurance.

In 2010, the Solano County Department of Health and Social Services reported that since the launch of the Healthy Kids program, 96% of all children in Solano County either obtained or maintained their health insurance through enrollment into various health insurance or coverage programs, such as Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, Kaiser Permanente, and the Healthy Kids program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for Healthy Kids?

Children under 19 years of age

Residents of Solano County

Living in families with incomes below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level

Not covered by employer paid health insurance for the previous three months

Not eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal or the Healthy Families Program

How much does it cost?

Families will share in the cost of premium, depending on their income level. The maximum that any one family would pay is $45 per family per month. There is a $5 co-payments for medical, dental and vision services with a co-payment maximum of $250 per family per year for medical services. No co-payments are required for preventive or inpatient services.

How do families enroll their children?

Specially trained Certified Application Assistors (CAA’s) coordinated through SKIP will meet with families at convenient locations throughout the county. SKIP provides application assistance at no charge. SKIP can be reached at 1-800-978-SKIP (7547). SKIP has been working with families in Solano County since 1998.

How much does the Healthy Kids program cost, and where does the funding come from?

At full implementation the Healthy Kids program costs $1.44 million annually for premiums. Funding for Healthy Kids comes from a combination of public and private sources.

Are there other Healthy Kids programs?

Yes, Solano County is one of many communities in California that have launched a Children’s Health Initiative (CHI). There are 30 counties that now offer this type of coverage. Santa Clara was the first county in the nation to start this program. Other counties, such as San Mateo, San Francisco, San Joaquin, Alameda and Los Angeles, have well-established programs also.